This may just be another one of my “I’m famous by association” posts (like when I met Sarah Richardson) but hey, I live a pretty uneventful life and I get excited by little things. Plus, this post contains hearts which seemed very appropriate for today. Oh, Happy Valentine’s Day by the way 😉

So, my friend Natalie came over last week as I was helping her make some favours for a baby shower that she was hosting (future post on that to come). Knowing that the way to my (sweet) heart was through sweets she surprised me by bringing  A CUPCAKE FROM CARLO’S BAKERY! Yes, THE ‘Carlos’ as seen on TLC’s Cake Boss – of which I’m a big fan and record regularly. Hoboken Style Baayybeee (if you do not watch the show that last statement will make no sense and I can’t be judged for weirdness as a result).

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So, here’s how Natalie managed to get said cupcake in to her hot little hands. Her husband (Thank you James!) was in New Jersery on business and on the day he was to fly home (the same day I demolished said cupcake) he went to Carlo’s Bakery bright and early and purchased a half dozen box of goodness. A plane trip and two car drives later and it was sitting in my living room. … and all I had to do to get it was design some party favour tags. Does anyone else need party favour tags? Warning – they come with a catch that involves a plane and cupcakes.

Natalie let me keep the box. And then laughed at me because I got excited about it. Whatever. I’ll take the mockery.

I was a good wife and cut my precious cupcake in half to share with Chef Kev. No pictures of that as it was just too sad to photograph. Chef Kev isn’t even a sweet lover… so in essence I shared my sweet sweet with my non-sweet loving sweet. Do I get brownie cupcake points for that?

And, yes, needless to say, it was DELICOUS!

Happy February everyone! The month of love :).

I hope this month is great for you and I also hope you like these calendars that caught my eye this month.

Click on any below to be redirected to the download.

Enjoy!

caroline johansson

Agathe Altwegg via Smashing Magazine

jennifer squires

Insight Magazine

studio of mae

love notes by lauryn

webgranth

penelope and pip

So, I have a bit of a confession. I’ve been keeping a secret from all of you. It’s true. My secret? Well, that I happen to be best friends with one of the most talented cake designers in the WHOLE FREAKIN’ WORLD (sorry to yell, I just get kind of excited about this sort of thing).

Jennifer at Harmony Cakes is not only ridiculously sweet in person, but her sweet creations are just… well, ridiculous. Jennifer does it all, cakes, cupcakes, cookies. And they are good. SO. SO. GOOD. Not only to look at, but eat. SOOOOO good.

This lady is crazy talented and she doesn’t need me to tell you, her work speaks for itself.

I however, will make the introductions.

Bloggy friends, feast your eyes on these beauts (get it, ‘feast’ – see how I did that)?… ah, moving on…

wedding cupcakes! And, side note, Jenn’s hubby made this stand. Love it!

these monogram wafers look delicous! And how sweet is the peach and brown combo?

I love this one. It’s called ‘600 blossoms’. Not sure why…

I may be partial to this one as it may be my wedding cake. And we may have designed it together and I may have loved working on it with her. Maybe.

such a sweet light blue fondant. And look at that detail. Gorgeous.

Can I get married again so that I can have these cookies?

This one blows me away. Look at that ‘vintage lace’. All cake. Did I mention that she was talented?

Look at this attention to detail. So this is me – on the cake. I had just cut my hair and Jenn made this for my baby shower – complete with me ‘new’ hairdo! I still have the topper of this cake. Love it.

I’m Captain Obvious here to point out that Jenn is amazing. Look at how cute that guy is! She. Does. It. All.

More attention to detail! This is the topper for Chace’s first birthday cake! She made all of animals based on a paper plate design that I had fallen in love with. Awwwwww!

No words. Okay one – AWESOME.

She gets kids… and kids cakes.

SPLAT!

And she gets shopping too. She has done some amazing ‘girlie’ ones. Chanel, MAC make-up, Visa Cards. So cool.

Pretty. Dainty. Detailed. Detailed. Detailed.

Ditto.

And this might have to be the coolest cake ever. Um… seriously?  Cake shaped like coffee? Yup.

So the secret is out of the bag and I appologize for keeping her from you all for so long.

If you’d like to see more of her work, please check out her website at www.harmonycakes.ca. You can also contact her via email here and to keep posted on her amazing creations as they happen, please ‘like’ her on Facebook!

Thanks for inspiring me Jenn! xo

The Studio of Mae

Some Kitchen Stories

Jennifer Squires

Craig Ferguson

Jared Erickson

Cromoart

Dribbble

Paper Leaf

LeeLou Blogs

The Caroline Johansson

So, what do you think? A monthly ’round up’ worth doing? Do you think you will download one? If so, which is your favourite pick?

My spice rack update was featured today over on “Serenity Now” (thanks Amanda) in her “Weekend Bloggy Reading” link-up party (where bloggers can share links of what they were up to in the past week). Amanda thought my little rack was special and featured it here! What an honour!

Amanda is a mommy and blogger from Virgina and her site is great – check it out. I love her tagline… “A mommy’s guide to staying sane”.

She does some amazing crafts and her blog is a wonderful source of inspiration. Thanks again Amanda!

Happy weekend everyone!